Morocco says 147 African, Asian migrants rescued at sea

Morocco's coast guard rescued more than 140 African and Asian migrants in difficulty aboard makeshift boats early Monday, a military source said.

The 147 migrants were from sub-Saharan Africa and from 10 Asian countries, said the source quoted by the official MAP news agency.

The source did not specify the location of the rescue operation but said the migrants received first aid at sea before being handed over to police "for the usual administrative procedures".

Migrant departures from Morocco's coast have increased, with most boats aiming to reach Spain's Canary Islands, despite tighter controls.